Caiti Mondragon: Batteries for Mom

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Dear Energizer Bunny,

Sometimes, I just want to tell you:

You have nothing on me. I could run circles around you. All you do is walk around carrying that oversized drum, looking so cool in your shades. Really? No wonder your batteries never run out. I could easily do that, and preserve my battery life.

Now... let me see what your battery life looks like, Mr. Bunny! I am exhausted just typing all of that out!

Sincerely,

Caiti

I can't speak for everyone, but in my "line of work" (being a stay at home mom), my job doesn't end at 5 p.m. with the punch of a time clock. I am on-call all day, every day. I don't get lunch breaks or vacation pay and I don't get to call in sick (or my family would go hungry and be late for school). I can't be late to work, and I can't take a paid day off.

But what I CAN do is make sure that the everyday life of this stay at home mom doesn't completely drain my batteries.

Just like every other mom, every once in a while, my batteries need a little bit of a charge, too.

For me, sometimes all it takes is sneaking into the bathroom, locking the door and being as quiet as I possibly can. (Shhhh, if I am really quiet I won't be followed). Yet, as soon as the door shuts and locks behind me, I see little tiny sausage fingers extending underneath the door. Yes, they are still out there...waiting for Mommy to come out, which leads me to the issue of privacy, but I'll save that for later.

Anyway, I need to remind myself that it's OK to take a break to recharge my batteries. I feel like so much of my day is allotted to taking care of the needs of my family (which I love caring for each and every one of them), but I need to remember to also take care of myself! How does that saying go? Oh yeah, because if Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. Whoever coined that slogan was one smart cookie!

So, all you moms (and dads, too) I encourage you to take a little bit of time each day for you! Even if it is locking yourself in the bathroom with baby fingers waving at you from under the door, that's your time to catch your breath. Show the Energizer Bunny who's really boss. Enjoy!

Caiti Mondragon is married with three children. She is a stay at home mom. Read her personal blog at MrsMomdragon and read her regularly on Greeley Moms.